Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meg Poveromo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Meg, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I just wrapped up filming my first feature film, “The Box Trap” last week as a director, producer, writer, and actress. Every project of mine has been meaningful to me, but this one just felt so surreal to actually make! The movie is centered on an out-of-touch woman in her twenties and her loyalty to her bartending career at a failing lesbian bar, and its rivalry with the lively gay club across the street. I came out of the closet a couple years ago and everything in this script is a perfect representation of the ridiculous (and awfully hilarious) things I have gone through with my friends (specifically my super supportive friend Gabby, who I met on my journey. Shoutout to her!). I’ve had so much fun developing the characters based off of the most bizarre, but intriguing people I’ve had interactions with.
I started writing the script in early 2023 with no expectations besides making something funny to share with my friends, and I remember changing the plot so many times, erasing everything, starting over, moving to Atlanta, living new experiences, meeting new people, starting over, and repeating the cycle. When I first moved to Atlanta, I got this job at this very strange bakery, which I’m thankful for, because it introduced me to some amazing people who shared the same dreams as I did. It introduced me to my friend who would later become my production designer for this movie, and a couple other friends who acted in it and helped me bring my vision to life. Every interaction in that bakery, whether it was between us and our insane boss or the rude customers, gave me so much joke material for the film, too. I’m able to look back at the times I’d be at work saying, “I’m going to put this in the film!” and laugh- now I look back at the footage we filmed for the movie with a reenactment of that exact moment, with some of the same coworkers who experienced it in real time. I can’t wait until I finish editing this movie and we can all watch it and laugh together.
Another reason why this project is so meaningful is because of my crew; especially my DOP, Will. He’s been there for me since the start. Even after moving to a different state, I would never want anyone else for my first feature film! He drove 10 hours from South Florida to Atlanta and back three different times! We went to film school together and in 2019, he filmed my first little experimental short film and I’m so happy that we haven’t stopped working together since. We’ve both come so far within the past couple years and working together on such a huge project, I’m so grateful we got to share this milestone together.
From December through May, (development stages to production), I’ve met so many amazing people- from location owners to the talented actors and actresses in my movie who almost made me tear up seeing them bring my characters to life. I loved getting to know everyone and working with such a talented cast for so long was a dream, especially knowing that so many of them loved the script and had as high hopes for the film as much as I did. The last day of filming was so sad to me! It almost felt like we were a family at that point, haha!
When I first founded my production company, Unemployed Idiots Film Productions, it was with a couple of my friends back in 2020. We didn’t expect it to go anywhere- it was just a silly little name we could put our silly little short films and sketches under. One of my friends in the group was Theo, who was an amazingly talented writer and one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. We both decided we wanted to take this stuff more seriously and we went on to write and produce several shorts together. We had so many high hopes for future films. Sadly, he passed away back in 2022 before we were able to make all of our ideas happen. During the process of filming The Box Trap, though most of it had been a blast- there were also factors that felt like the end of the world at the time. So many unnecessary problems arose, causing me to cut ties with people, going over budget and depleting my entire bank account, etc. There were times I felt like everything and everyone was trying to hold me back from finishing the movie and then I looked at a text I received from an old friend, saying how proud Theo would have been to see how far I’ve come with everything, and it gave me a reason to keep going. I know he would have loved this movie so much!
The project also made me realize how many people have my back and want to see me win in the end and I’m so thankful for that. It feels so good to know I’m surrounded by so many uplifting and genuine people. Through all the chaos, I’m glad that everything worked out the way it did.
Aside from everything else, this project is meaningful to me because I know how hard I worked on it and it’s something I’m very proud of. That’s something no one can ever take from me!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi! I’m Meg Poveromo, a 27-year-old filmmaker from South Florida. I direct, write, produce, edit, and act! I have one feature film in the post-production process and aside from that, I’ve created 7 short films since 2019- some of which have won me awards in festivals with titles such as “Best Director of a Short Film” and “Outstanding Actress in an English Language Film”, internationally. I’m an ambivert and I think it’s really funny that so many people have different perceptions of me for that. I love anything colorful and I refuse to ever make any work of art that isn’t vibrantly oversaturated. I’ve recently been told I have a go-getter personality, and that’s a trait I think I’ve just developed over the past couple years, when I’ve realized that hard work pays off and my belief that you can really do anything you want in this world, as long as you put your mind to it, is strong.
I’m the owner of my own production company called Unemployed Idiots Film Productions, which I co-founded with a couple of my friends back in 2020. I independently own it as of now!
I love comedy and I hate taking life too seriously. My favorite memories growing up include my older sister introducing me to the movie ‘Dude Where’s my Car?’ when I was like four or five- and us not being able to stop laughing or quoting it for years. That movie has had such an impact on my life and honestly, probably my brain development. Same with any Will Ferrell movie from the 2000’s: Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Stepbrothers, etc. My dad and I used to watch those together and I’ve always aspired to craft something that could have such a profound impact on someone’s life like those movies (and memories) had on mine.
Shoutout to my sister again for introducing me to Kevin Smith as a kid, as well. He’s one of my biggest inspirations as a director. I want to make all my future movies take place in the same universe.
My main goal as a filmmaker is to create a set where everyone can have fun, create memories and watch the final product and laugh together.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Bragging rights.
Jk. I like imagining my younger self being able to see her dreams come true.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Leave a good tip at your local independently owned coffee shop. That’s where all the creatives are working their day job!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unemployedidiots.com
- Instagram: @megpoveromo
- Other: Additional (film account) Instagram: @unemployedidiots
Image Credits
Tina Somphone
Maximus Phillips